Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! (topical thread)

[Alan V]

As a general principle, we often try to shift unusual costs to those responsible, like to smokers with their insurance and taxes.  In the case of covid-19, we are adjusting to new and unexpected contingencies.

So you're cool with higher health insurance rates based on diet and other controllable factors?

Teenagers (or I should say their parents) pay higher car insurance rates because of their comparatively poor driving records.  I don't see why that principle should be applied differently for people with weight problems, unless there is a high correlation with poverty.

So while I do support the general principle, I can also see how there might be exceptions when people are not responsible for their problems.  The question is a complicated one.